Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya congratulated batting stalwart Rohit Sharma for completing 15 years with the franchise. MI shared a clip where Hardik thanked Rohit for everything he has done for the team and spoke about how he has inspired so many players over the years.
Rohit Sharma's IPL career
Rohit started his IPL journey with Deccan Chargers, where he played from 2008 to 2010. In 2011, he moved to the Mumbai Indians, which was a decision strongly supported by cricketing god Sachin Tendulkar, who was leading the side at that time. Rohit made his debut for Mumbai on April 10, 2011, against Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla. He scored an unbeaten 27 runs in that game and helped the team win comfortably, building a strong partnership with Tendulkar.
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After that, his journey with MI only got better. From 2013 to 2020, Rohit led the team to five IPL titles, making him the most successful captain in the franchise’s history.
Hardik Pandya for Rohit Sharma
"Ro, congratulations on completing 15 years. Thank you for the way you have led this team for so long. I made my debut under you, and so did Bumrah and many others. You have inspired so many players, not just in this franchise but also for India. As a person, you have always been kind, open, and supportive. You have led from the front, and we are all thankful for that” said Hardik Pandya.
Rohit Sharma's thoughts on MI
Rohit also shared his thoughts in a separate video released by the franchise. He thanked his teammates, support staff, and the management for supporting him throughout his journey. He said that whatever he has achieved with Mumbai Indians has been possible because of the team environment.
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He also made it clear that the success was not about one person but the entire group working together. Rohit added that the trust and support from the franchise, especially during important moments in his career, helped him grow both as a captain and as an individual. He also thanked the team owners for always believing in him.